A Comparison Study on the Electrical Activity of Arm Abduction Muscles During Shoulder Abduction and Scaption Between Shooting Disciplines

Abstract

Objective: Considering the positions that the shooter chooses during shooting in different disciplines, it seems that the activity of deltoid and supraspinatus muscles which are common muscles during movement, varies in different disciplines. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the electrical activity of deltoid and supraspinatus muscles between three shooting disciplines. Methods: 24 shooters (8 archers, 8 air pistol shooters, and 8 air rifle shooters) participated in the study. They performed shoulder abduction and scaption at 60 and 90 degrees. The electrical activity of deltoid and supraspinatus muscles was then recorded using surface electromyography. The data were analyzed by using ANOVA and Tukey’s test at the significance level of P<0.05. Results: The activity of anterior deltoid muscle at 60 and 90 degrees of abduction and the activity of middle deltoid and supraspinatus muscles only at 90 degree of abduction was significantly higher in the archery group than in the air pistol group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The higher electrical activity of deltoid and supraspinatus muscles in archery sport may be related to the tensile force of the bow and the greater arm angle at the shoulder joint during this type of shooting compared to air pistol and air rifle shooting.